02-02-21, 19:33
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re: Boris on HOL AGAIN as Brits Face Cuts & Shortages Crisis
Captain Sir Tom Moore Dead: NHS Hero, 100, Dies After Covid Fight as Nation Mourns
Captain Tom Moore captured the hearts of the nation with his incredible NHS fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic - the second time the World War Two veteran has come to his country's aid
The Telegraph UK, 2 FEB 2021.
Capt Sir Tom served in India in World War Two
A spokesman for Sir Tom's family also told the BBC that he had not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine because of the medication he was taking for pneumonia.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. In the dark days of the Second World War he fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest post war crisis he united us all, he cheered us all up, and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit.
"It is quite astonishing that at the age of 100 he raised more than £32 million for the NHS, and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and women who have protected us through the pandemic.
"He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts are with his daughter Hannah and all his family."
"He was so passionate about The Foundation’s vision for a more hopeful world and equal society and was immensely proud of the growing legacy it was establishing in his name.
"We have been working with Captain Tom to create positive impact around causes close to his and the families hearts, from combating loneliness to championing education and equality and of course supporting the incredible NHS carers and frontline workers whom he held in such high regard.
"Captain Tom’s actions inspired people across the world and he was extremely honoured that The Foundation might inspire a new generation of Captain Toms.
"We can all make a difference and through our continued work we will aspire to ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy.
"Whilst we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life and will be forever grateful for his optimistic philosophy and wonderful spirit.
Captain Tom was determined to hold the memory of his comrades close to him when he took on his epic second challenge to raise much-needed funds for the NHS.
He honoured them by donning medals as he embarked on his daily 10 laps of his garden.
The proud veteran said: "It's important. It shows that I was part of a very important and super army at the time who were all battling for our country, which we're all so proud of.
"I still very proud of our country. There is nowhere like ours."
After the war he returned to the UK and went to Bovington, Dorset, where he became an instructor at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School.
And it was here that he finally met the love of his life, Pamela.
Colonel Tom admitted he had "given up on love" but when he was 50 when he met his future wife, who was 35 and working as an office manager.
He said: "As it so happened, the office manager in Gravesend was a rather attractive young lady – she looked terrific to me, like a model – so I had to do various trips and, shall we say, the *attraction with the office manager became stronger and I eventually married her."
He described their marriage as "a happy time" and the devoted couple loved the simple things in life.
Captain Tom joked: "Pamela loved nothing more than a trip to Marks & Spencer. That was her dream day out, so we did that a lot."
Heartbreakingly, Pamela's health started to decline 20 years ago and her devoted husband cared for her for two years.
When her condition needed extra medical attention, Pamela was moved into a care home but Captain Tom was still her main carer.
He would visit her every, single day and he was the one who fed her her meals and would sit with her for hours on end until she passed away 14 years ago.
The couple tied the knot in 1968 and went on to have two daughters, Lucy and Hannah.
Colonel Tom Moore and his bride Pamela during their 1968 wedding
He also received tens of thousands of 100th birthday cards, with his grandson, Benji's, school being used to house them all.
At midnight on his 100th birthday, Captain Tom officially ended his NHS challenge after smashing both his fundraising target and aim to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.
At the end of January his family released a statement saying he tested positive for coronavirus while being treated for pneumonia.
They explained he hadn't been able to have the vaccine because of the medication he was on for the condition.
Captain Tom is survived by his two daughters and his grandchildren.
RIP Captain Tom
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